Creating a Portable PC Diagnostic USB: My Favorite Open-Source Tools

Windows offers a suite of powerful diagnostic tools to resolve PC issues, but managing multiple recovery disks can be cumbersome. Imagine a scenario where all your diagnostic tools are available on a single USB drive. I’ve created a comprehensive bootable USB rescue media that encompasses an array of utilities, including password reset applications, antivirus scanners, disk backup solutions, and system benchmark tools.

My configuration utilizes Ventoy, which enables the booting of several tools from one USB drive, while PhoenixPE provides a fully functional Windows desktop embedded with various repair utilities. This setup allows users to address system errors without risking data loss on their main Windows installation.

Rationale Behind Choosing Ventoy and PhoenixPE

Versatility of Ventoy Complemented by PhoenixPE’s Environment

PEBakery download source ISO — image credit – self captured (Tashreef Shareef) – No Attribution Required

PhoenixPE is a Windows PE recovery environment based on Windows 10 and 11, functioning as a lightweight version of Windows that operates entirely from RAM. It encompasses diagnostic tools, recovery programs, malware removal applications, and repair software that remain usable even when your primary Windows installation is inoperable.

While PhoenixPE includes a robust selection of utilities, some specific tools like MemTest86 or Windows installers necessitate distinct environments. To streamline this, I opted to install PhoenixPE atop a Ventoy multi-boot USB, which facilitates the booting of multiple ISOs from a single device. With Ventoy acting as the bootloader, users can navigate through a clean, organized menu of their ISOs, while PhoenixPE delivers a complete Windows environment equipped with the necessary diagnostic tools when issues arise.

Ventoy Boot menu on a HP Pavilion laptop — Tashreef Shareef / MakeUseOf

For this configuration, a USB drive with a minimum capacity of 16GB is required, although I recommend opting for 32GB or more to accommodate multiple ISOs comfortably. The PhoenixPE ISO can take up between 3-4GB, depending on the tools you choose, leaving space for additional utilities.

Preparing for Your Setup

Essential Software Download and Workspace Setup

Before commencing the setup, ensure you download all necessary components and prepare the PhoenixPE ISO in advance. This allows for seamless copying of tools onto your Ventoy drive once it’s set up.

Start by creating a new folder on your desktop named WinPE, which will serve as your workspace. Then, download the following essential tools:

PhoenixPE: Extract the ZIP file and transfer its contents to your WinPE folder.
.NET 6.0: This framework is essential for running the PhoenixPE builder. Install it if it isn’t already on your system.
7-Zip: This file extraction tool is necessary for extracting the Windows ISO. Ensure it’s installed.
Ventoy: Download the software, but refrain from executing it until after building PhoenixPE.
Windows 11 ISO: Visit the Windows 11 download page. Under the section for Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices, select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices) and click Confirm. Choose your preferred language and download the 64-bit ISO file.

For optimum results, it’s advisable to set up PhoenixPE in a virtual machine to minimize potential conflicts with your main operating system. If you decide to build directly on your PC and encounter a PEBakery launch error, you might need to temporarily disable features such as virus protection and reputation-based protection within Windows Security.

To adjust these settings, navigate to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings and toggle off Real-time protection. Additionally, head to App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings and disable it there as well. These protections may mistakenly flag the PhoenixPE build process as potentially harmful due to modifications of system files, but you can safely re-enable them once the build process is complete.

Constructing Your Custom PhoenixPE Environment

Creating a Custom Windows PE With Selected Tools

To initiate the process, run PEBakeryLauncher.exe from your WinPE folder. You may encounter a Windows protected your PC notification, caused by Windows Defender not recognizing the software’s digital signature as it is an open-source tool. The file is safe, but feel free to check it with an online virus scanner for peace of mind.

Next, you need to integrate source files from the Windows 11 ISO. While there’s an option in PhoenixPE to download the source ISO directly from Microsoft’s servers, it may not always function correctly. Instead, extract the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded. Right-click the ISO and select 7-Zip > Extract to [folder name].

In the PhoenixPE interface, click on Source Config, then use the Folder icon (browse) to select the folder where the source files are located. Under Configure Destination, choose the Run all programs from RAM (Boot.wim) option to enhance performance.

In the left pane, expand the Core section and select Core Config. From the WinPE Cache Size dropdown menu, opt for the largest available option to allocate sufficient space for temporary files, drivers, and any tools operating within the PE environment.

Choosing Your Applications

Begin with Essential Applications

To ensure stability in your WinPE without running into compatibility issues, start by integrating only a handful of essential apps rather than all available options at once.

Keep the defaults for the Shell, Components, and Tweaks sections initially. Then, navigate to Applications > Password Recovery and select NTPWEdit and Windows Logon Unlocker. These tools are invaluable for resetting or removing local Windows account passwords if you ever find yourself locked out of your device.

Next, move to Applications > Network to add Google Chrome. A web browser in your recovery toolkit allows you to download drivers or look up error codes without needing an additional device.

To create your PhoenixPE ISO, expand the Media Creation section and select Create ISO. After making your selections, click Run in the upper right corner. Should you encounter any errors, pay attention to which program caused them, return to the configuration, uncheck the problematic program or select an alternative, and attempt the build again.

The building process may take some time, especially as each added application increases complexity. Wait for the PhoenixPE build is successful message before clicking Close. Your new ISO will be saved in the WinPE folder you created earlier. To find it easily, go to the Media Creation > Create ISO section and click on Open ISO Folder where you will locate the PhoenixPE_en-US_x64.iso file.

PhoenixPE creating a WinPE — image credit – self captured (Tashreef Shareef) – No Attribution Required

Setting Up the Ventoy USB and Tool Integration

It’s time to prepare your USB drive. Begin by running Ventoy2Disk.exe, select your USB drive from the Device drop-down menu, and click Install. Be aware that this will format your drive, so back up any essential data beforehand. Click Yes to proceed, and once the installation concludes, tap OK.

Subsequently, transfer the PhoenixPE_en-US_x64.iso to your recently configured Ventoy USB drive. I also recommend copying the original Windows 11 ISO for an option to perform a clean installation of Windows directly from the same bootable drive if necessary.

Since applications such as MemTest86 and CloneZilla require their own environments to function correctly, store them as separate ISOs on your Ventoy drive. These tools need direct hardware access and Linux environments for effective operation. Simply download their respective ISOs and add them alongside PhoenixPE.

To utilize your toolkit, insert your Ventoy USB and set your PC to boot from USB. Ventoy will present a menu displaying all ISO files on the drive; choose PhoenixPE.iso to access your diagnostic environment and ensure that it loads correctly.

If you encounter a Verification failed: Security violation or a similar issue when booting from your USB, you must disable Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart your computer, enter BIOS (typically by pressing F2, F10, or DEL during the boot), locate the Secure Boot option under Security or Boot settings, and set it to disabled. Save your changes and restart; your USB should boot without complications.

Modifying the tools available in PhoenixPE is straightforward. Access the PhoenixPE interface, adjust the selections in the left pane as necessary, and run the build once more. When it’s time to upgrade Ventoy, download the latest version and execute the update function, which preserves all your ISOs while refreshing the bootloader.

The Ultimate USB for Resolving PC Issues

Creating my personalized WinPE environment has significantly alleviated the stress associated with PC problems. There’s no need to maintain a collection of disks or waste time sourcing tools when issues arise. Everything I need is readily available. Although it may not address every conceivable scenario, its reliability ensures I’m always prepared to respond swiftly.

Source & Images